After Closely Examining a Local "Sweetheart Tree That Recently Died

Multiple Choice

After closely examining a local "sweetheart tree that recently died, you notice that there are so many initials carved into the bark, which includes all the phloem, that there is no continuous, uninterrupted conduit for the phloem all the way around a tree trunk. Why did this eventually cause the tree to die?

A) Cells of the apical meristem can no longer divide.
B) The transport of sugars between leaves and roots is interrupted.
C) The transport of sugars between leaves and twigs is interrupted.
D) Water and minerals can no longer be supplied to the leaves.
E) The tree is more susceptible to insect and fungal diseases.